Two days later, the upper echelons of the Meltor Kingdom were blindsided by the news that the high elf’s convoy had been almost completely wiped out.

It was truly a catastrophe!

Five 6th Circle magicians, sixteen 5th Circle magicians, and three gust carriages was a tremendous loss. It would take at least ten years to recover from this one expedition. However, if Veronica hadn’t been able to protect the survivors of the convey, Theodore Miller and the high elf, then the damage might’ve been several times worse.

Kurt III praised Veronica’s achievement publicly while convening an emergency meeting.

“Listen carefully. The Tower Masters, Magic Society heads, and members of the court must, without exception, gather in the meeting room. This issue has an enormous impact, and it is strictly forbidden to leak any information to the outside world. This is an edict I proclaim in the name of Kurt III.”

An edict in the king’s name was not a statement that was lightly thrown about. If someone broke the edict, they would immediately be found guilty of treason and sent to the gallows. So everyone, including the Tower Masters who rarely gathered in one place, hastily made their way to the royal palace’s meeting room when they received Kurt III’s order.

“Huhu, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen some of these faces,” Blundell Adruncus, the Blue Tower Master, muttered as he slung his staff over his shoulder.

Meanwhile, the beautiful Red Tower Master, Veronica was grumbling petulantly, “Why do I feel older with every minute I spend in this room?”

The White Tower Master wearing a white robe and a plain mask which covered his eyes, nose, and forehead, Orta, was silent. As always, the position of the Yellow Tower Master remained vacant, but no one questioned their absence. It was an open secret that he was the only one qualified to refuse any call, since he had no interest in national affairs.

Blundell settled into a chair and spoke, “Let's all sit down first. It’s awkward to talk while standing around.”

As three of the four seats around the throne were filled, the rest of the participants started to take their seats. The right side of the round table was filled with officials from Kurt III’s court. They were composed of representatives from the household department, the military, foreign affairs and any department involved with state affairs. Meanwhile, the left side of the table was left for nobles. They were mostly composed of earls and dukes who were present in the capital at the time the king called for a meeting.

It didn’t take long for Kurt III to enter.

“Presenting His Majesty!” The king’s knights declared the presence of the king directly, indicating to the gathered officials and nobles that this meeting had such an important agenda that it was impossible to even approach him.

Kurt III held up a palm as everyone stood to bow. “The bowing will be omitted today. Please be seated.”

Nobody dared refuse as they took their seats again.

Kurt III nodded and took his seat on the white, leather covered throne at the table. He glanced sideways. “Veronica, summarize the case briefly.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Veronica’s normal playfulness was nowhere to be seen as she stood and coolly spoke, “Two days ago, the convoy transporting the high elf was attacked by an unidentified monster while passing through Nadun Mountains. All the gust carriages mobilized for the mission were destroyed, and twenty-one magicians were killed. The high elf was unharmed, but the monster escaped.”

Stunned silence reigned for a brief moment as Veronica took her seat before a furor broke out.

“W-Wiped out!”

“Red Tower Master, the monster got away from you?!”

“Surely this will become bigger...!”

The reactions varied, but their shock was unmistakable. The twenty-one magicians had all been elite veterans of the war with Andras Empire. It had been proven that they could even hold off a sword master if they worked together.

They had been wiped out? Then, do master level monsters exist on our continent? Is Veronica lying?

Dismay, horror and disbelief filled the eyes of everyone in the room.

“Stop.” Kurt III calmed the atmosphere.

He needed them to find the right response to this event, rather than wallow in shock and horror. Everyone noticed the steel glint in the king’s eyes and quickly calmed down.

“Somehow, we avoided the worst case scenario. The high elf is safe.”

The people nodded at Kurt III’s words. If the high elf had been killed, Meltor would have suffered three times worse in the future. The high elf represented a chance for a good relationship with Elvenheim, which would save many lives. As such, the damage this time was painful, but it might have been worth it for the future.

Kurt III continued, “Provide compensation to the families of the magicians who were sent as part of the convoy. And we must thoroughly receive compensation from Elvenheim. Isn’t that right, Blundell?”

Blundell nodded. “The elves are a species who consider silver as a sign of gratitude and no grudges, so it will be done according to Your Majesty’s will.”

“Right. No, this is the only option worth considering.” The wooden armrest of the throne was cracking under Kurt III’s iron grip.

He had lost more than twenty elites on this venture. No matter what, he had to find a way to obtain a suitable price for the lives they had sacrificed for Meltor.

Kurt’s face contorted in grief for a moment before returning to the stern visage of a ruler. “Blundell, escort the high elf to Elvenheim. I’m sorry since you’ve just returned from a long distance mission, but you know that the elves don’t like Veronica.”

Blundell inclined his head. “I would be delighted. By the way, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm?” Kurt III looked puzzled by Blundell’s additional words.

“I have a request to ask of you from the high elf.”

“A request? For me?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The king gestured for Blundell to speak.

Blundell grinned as he delivered Ellenoa’s words. “She asked to stay until she completes healing Theodore Miller, the survivor of this incident. She doesn’t know about the other injuries, but his right hand is in a serious state. If it isn’t healed with the power of the high elf, she predicts there will be aftereffects.”

Kurt III’s stern expression warmed. “I have no reason to refuse her request. Rather, I would consider it a favor.”

Whether the myth about the silver was true or not, the high elf hadn’t left Theodore alone while they had been escorted to the capital. She had held his bloody and bandaged right arm and continued using her healing power on Theo.

The cold atmosphere of the room became a little warmer.

“Hoh, this young man has earned the grace of a high elf.”

“He’s only twenty, right? And already at the 5th Circle? Brilliant. Why wasn’t this talent known until now?”

“Look carefully. He took first place at the Pupil Tournament a few months ago.”

“I see that he has no sponsors.”

They had compiled their own dossiers on Theodore and enthusiastically expressed their appreciation for him. The court fought over which department the young man would fit into, while the nobles wondered what conditions they could use to recruit him.

However, the fierce debate was once again stopped by Kurt III. “... Theodore Miller, that young man again.”

Kurt III looked at the dossier which contained Theodore’s history with his distinctive purple eyes. Theo had won the Pupil Tournament and then gone on to take care of the Elder Lich. Now, he had even survived the convoy attack. It was certainly rare for a twenty-year-old magician to end up in front of the king three times in less than half a year. Naturally, the king was forced to develop an interest in Theo.

Is his talent luck or does he have the qualities of a hero? Or perhaps he has something extraordinary.

The young man seemed to have a quality that wasn’t captured by this dossier. Yet, it was clear that he had helped the kingdom a few times, and it was the king’s role to make the most of it. According to Veronica, Theo would grow to a point where he would be a threat to her within the next ten years. In that case, the correct solution would be to water and fertilize this sapling.

Kurt III decided on the way to treat Theodore. “Listen carefully.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

The king refused to allow any arguments as he announced, “To the only survivor of the convey, Baron Miller, I will present the title of Viscount and, in addition, reward him with a Silver Medal of Merit. This decision is an edict in my name, meaning it can’t be overturned.”

“Y-Your Majesty!”

“What? If you didn’t hear me, I will tell you one more time.”

The court officials, nobles and Tower Masters couldn’t hide their surprise. They weren’t surprised by the title. An honorary nobleman didn’t have a manor, and magicians belonging to the Magic Society weren’t likely to care about title anyway. However, the Silver Medal of Merit was an extraordinary reward.

The nobles who tried to object soon fell silent at Kurt III’s harsh tone. They knew that their king wasn’t taking objections and would not be convinced otherwise.

“There are no objections. Then it is time for the next agenda.”

As such, the first recipient of the Silver Medal of Merit in thirty years was decided in a secret meeting.

***

Meanwhile, the awardee in question had yet to regain consciousness. Thanks to Ellenoa, his body, including his ruined right arm, had been returned to the picture of health. Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do about the crack in his mind which had arisen from Alfred’s Transmission.

In the end, Ellenoa couldn’t wait for Theodore to open his eyes and was forced to leave Meltor. Blundell, who had been assigned as her escort, scratched his head apologetically when he saw her forlorn face.

“Hmm, I'm sorry but we can't afford to wait any longer. The ambassadors from Elvenheim are urging for your return.”

“... Yes, I understand.”

Ellenoa kissed Theodore’s forehead gently. The kiss of a high elf was like receiving the blessing of an elemental. It would prevent any elementals belonging to enemies from getting close to Theodore.

She murmured, “Will we meet again someday, Theodore?”

Thus, the forest dancer returned to Elvenheim. Exactly ten days after the battle of Pride, when the rumors and gossip had reached their peak in Manavil, Theo finally woke up from his coma.